MANCHESTER, N.H. (February 16, 2018) – We sincerely appreciate the challenge that Massachusetts officials and their electric distribution companies (EDCs) are facing as they strive to meet an aggressive goal of obtaining a new and significant source of clean energy within just a few short years. The selection of Northern Pass to deliver that energy was based in part because we can be in-service far ahead of any other project.

The February 1st decision by our state permitting authority to abruptly halt its deliberations and deny our application was a shock to everyone. Today’s decision by the Massachusetts DOER, its Independent Evaluator and the EDCs strikes a sensible balance by allowing negotiations with Northern Pass to continue, while establishing a backup protocol that can be initiated if necessary.

From our perspective, the decision provides Northern Pass with the opportunity to make our case for a rehearing by our N.H. Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) and a resumption of its deliberations.

We have a strong legal argument for a reconsideration by the SEC. There is a path forward. While our negotiations with the EDCs continue, we will also focus on earning reconsideration by the SEC and the necessary permit to begin construction in order to deliver to Massachusetts and the entire New England region the many benefits that Northern Pass will provide.

New Hampshire customers would benefit from $15 million in clean energy funds

MANCHESTER, N.H. (February 12, 2018) – Today, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) has approved an agreement that allows Northern Pass Transmission LLC (NPT) to lease transmission rights-of-way from Eversource. In its decision, the NHPUC found that the lease agreement was “in the public good” and provides significant customer benefits. This approval marks the last of three NHPUC approvals needed by NPT. The NHPUC had previously approved granting the project utility status, and also the ability to cross public waters and public lands in order to build the project.

“The benefits Northern Pass will deliver to New Hampshire are significant, and today’s approval by the NHPUC is further confirmation that the project is in the public interest,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “In addition to the $15 million in funding for New Hampshire customers included in this agreement, the project would provide more than $3 billion in economic and environmental benefits to New Hampshire, including additional tax revenue for our communities, good-paying local jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of investment in economic development, community betterment, clean energy and tourism.”

Under the agreement, as negotiated with the NHPUC staff and the N.H. Office of Consumer Advocate, NPT agreed to make annual lease payments to Eversource, which would be used to off-set Eversource’s transmission costs – which are borne by customers. Additionally, Northern Pass agreed to make annual payments totaling $15 million over the lifetime of the project. The funds would be under the control and direction of the NHPUC for “programs, projects or other purposes that provide benefits to New Hampshire distribution customers.” These programs may include investments in distributed generation, energy storage, electric vehicles, demand response and other initiatives.

Northern Pass benefits include millions annually in additional tax revenue to communities along the route; $7.5 million to the North Country Job Creation Fund to develop and retain jobs in the North Country; thousands of acres set aside for conservation, recreation and mixed-use; reduced CO2 emissions and energy costs; and the $200 million Forward NH Fund to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism. Moreover, the project would deliver 1,090 MW of clean, renewable hydroelectric into the region, providing much-needed fuel diversity and helping to stabilize energy prices.

The PUC’s lease order is conditioned on the N.H. Site Evaluation Committee (NHSEC) issuing the project its necessary construction permit. Northern Pass is preparing to file a motion to reopen NHSEC deliberations. The project has received key federal approvals, including a Presidential Permit and final Record of Decision.

We are shocked and outraged by today’s SEC outcome. The process failed to comply with New Hampshire law and did not reflect the substantial evidence on the record. As a result, the most viable near-term solution to the region’s energy challenges, as well as $3 billion of NH job, tax, and other benefits, are now in jeopardy. Clearly, the SEC process is broken and this decision sends a chilling message to any energy project contemplating development in the Granite State. We will be seeking reconsideration of the SEC’s decision, as well as reviewing all options for moving this critical clean energy project forward.

The Forest Service says project is in “public interest” and provides “meaningful benefits to air quality” in the Forest

Manchester, N.H. (January 8, 2018) – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released its final Record of Decision (ROD) allowing Northern Pass Transmission to bury approximately eleven miles of transmission lines in areas along existing roads through the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF). The decision is the result of a thorough environmental analysis and public engagement process led by two WMNF supervisors over a seven-year period, and comes on the heels of a Record of Decision and Presidential Permit issued by the U.S. Department of Energy late last year. The USFS will issue the necessary Special Use Authorization to allow the project to be buried within the WMNF. With these approvals secured, the project is well-positioned to begin construction in mid-2018, and to bring an additional 1,090 MW of much-needed clean hydroelectric power into the region by late 2020.

“We appreciate the diligent work done by the USFS and WMNF staff over the years, and are gratified that they have concluded the benefits of Northern Pass more than outweigh the short-term construction impacts on the Forest,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “When we proposed an underground cable for the WMNF portion of the route, we believed it was the best option for the Forest and for New Hampshire. We’re pleased to see that the USFS agrees.”

The Forest Service notes that Northern Pass will increase the reliability of New England’s power supply, by reducing reliance on imported natural gas; help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with public policy goals and the New Hampshire Climate Action Plan; and, provide “meaningful benefits to air quality” in the WMNF.

Highlights from the Final ROD include:

“Meeting long-term energy needs in a sustainable, secure, and cost effective manner for this region of the country is certainly in the public’s interest.”

“I believe that the Project will benefit the public by providing a low-carbon, non-intermittent, and diversified source of electricity for the people of New Hampshire and New England.”

“Burial of the transmission line through the WMNF resolved Forest Plan consistency issues related to visuals and effects on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.”

In 2015, Northern Pass announced an improved route that included 52 additional miles of underground to avoid any potential view impacts in and around the WMNF or along the Appalachian Trail. The final ROD supports the project’s conclusion that burial along Interstate 93 is not a reasonable alternative, and states that the improved route “is a reasonable way to transmit electrical power through the WMNF in a minimally impactful way when considering all available alternatives.”

MANCHESTER, N.H. (January 3, 2018) – New Hampshire workers and businesses, including suppliers, subcontractors, and the services and hospitality industries, will have the opportunity next week in Concord to meet with the team leading the construction of Northern Pass at a second Job & Supplier Fair. Attendees can discuss the kinds of jobs, subcontractor opportunities, and supplies that are needed to complete Eversource’s 192-mile hydroelectric transmission line, and businesses can learn how to reach the many people who will be working on Northern Pass over the multi-year construction period. Northern Pass will create or generate 2,600 jobs at the peak of its construction.

“Northern Pass has long been committed to hiring New Hampshire workers first and these fairs are a way for us to follow through on that commitment,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “We encourage everyone to attend and learn about the many opportunities available for local businesses and workers.”

Details of the Job & Supplier Fair:

Wednesday, January 10

3:00-8:00 p.m.

Grappone Conference Center

70 Constitution Ave., Concord, N.H.

At a very successful December 13 fair in Whitefield, more than 200 people came out to discuss the many job opportunities available on the project. The upcoming fair in Concord will be a similar event where members of the public can meet face-to-face with representatives from the project and the construction team.

PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. the largest outside plant electrical contracting company in North America and is the General Contractor for the Northern Pass construction project with offices located in Bow, N.H.

Helmets to Hardhats, a national, nonprofit program that connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military service members with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry

Northern Pass project representatives, on hand to discuss the project’s business directory, a list of local services available to the project’s many workers, such as restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, laundromats, auto repairs, hotels and recreational opportunities. A copy of the business directory will be given to everyone working on the Northern Pass project

The U.S. Department of Energy recently issued Northern Pass its Presidential Permit. The project expects to conclude the federal and state approval process in early 2018, and anticipates construction will begin by mid-April 2018.

The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its more than 8,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.

Project Will Deliver Clean Energy to New England Two Years Ahead of Competition

MANCHESTER, N.H. (December 27, 2017) – Today, the Northern Pass Transmission project (NPT) announced it is the only large transmission project that can achieve Massachusetts’ statutory requirement for carbon emission reductions while also delivering more than $900 million in accelerated benefits to New England customers due to NPT’s early in-service date of 2020.

“It is clear that Massachusetts wants to act quickly to add cleaner and more affordable power to our energy mix, and no other project will deliver as much clean energy sooner than Northern Pass,” said Eversource Vice President of Transmission Business Development Patrick Smith. “Northern Pass is years ahead of the competition and has firm pricing backed by fully executed contracts with all major contractors and suppliers, as well as a signed Project Labor Agreement with the IBEW that guarantees local jobs for Massachusetts and New Hampshire workers. This is in stark contrast to other conceptual projects that are early in their development and permitting processes, have no contracts in place, and significant uncertainty regarding their scope. Such projects, including their costs, schedule and corresponding benefits, should be viewed with caution.”

The accelerated benefits are a result of Northern Pass being placed in service in 2020, two years ahead of other proposals, and include lower energy and capacity market costs, value from reduced carbon emissions and a reduction in natural gas prices. Massachusetts would realize more than $500 million of these benefits.

Northern Pass will bring 1,090 MW of clean, reliable hydroelectricity from Hydro-Québec’s existing resources over a high voltage transmission line extending from Des Cantons substation in Québec to Deerfield, New Hampshire where the line will interconnect to the New England electric system. Both the New Hampshire and Québec portions of the line are in the final stages of the siting process, and Northern Pass is on track to be “shovel ready” to begin construction early in the second quarter of 2018.

“The Northern Pass project will not only bring clean, low-cost energy to New England ahead of other projects, but will also bring jobs to Massachusetts and New Hampshire years ahead of other proposed energy projects” said Brian Murphy, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 104. “Northern Pass will put people to work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in a matter of months, while other projects are at best two to three years away. We can’t kick the can down the road. Solutions to our region’s energy problems and jobs are needed now.”

The accelerated benefits from a 2020 Northern Pass in-service date were calculated by London Economics International, the project’s economics expert. For more information about the unique benefits of Northern Pass, as well as the broad support the project enjoys in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, please see the project video.

Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 9,300 homes and businesses in Hampton, North Hampton and Rye. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the top contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its more than 8,300 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH). For more information on our water services, visit www.aquarionwater.com.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (December 4, 2017) – New Hampshire workers and businesses, including suppliers, subcontractors, and the services and hospitality industries, will have the opportunity to meet with the team leading the construction of Northern Pass at two upcoming Job & Supplier Fairs. Attendees can discuss the kinds of jobs, subcontractor opportunities, and supplies that are needed to complete Eversource’s 192-mile hydroelectric transmission line, and businesses can learn how to reach the many people who will be working on Northern Pass over the multi-year construction period. Northern Pass will create or generate 2,600 jobs at the peak of construction.

Details of the Job & Supplier Fairs:

Wednesday, December 13 Wednesday, January 10

3:00-8:00 p.m. 3:00-8:00 p.m.

Mountain View Grand Resort Grappone Conference Center

101 Mountain View Road 70 Constitution Ave.

Whitefield, N.H. Concord, N.H.

“Northern Pass has long been committed to hiring New Hampshire workers first and these fairs are a way for us to follow through on that commitment,” said Eversource New Hampshire President Bill Quinlan. “We encourage everyone to attend and learn about the many opportunities available for local businesses and workers.”

PAR Electrical Contractors, Inc. the largest outside plant electrical contracting company in North America and is the General Contractor for the Northern Pass construction project with offices located in Bow, N.H.

Northern Pass project representatives, on hand to discuss the project’s business directory, a list of local services available to the project’s many workers, such as restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, laundromats, auto repairs, hotels and recreational opportunities. A copy of the business directory will be given to everyone working on the Northern Pass project

The U.S. Department of Energy recently issued Northern Pass its Presidential Permit. The project expects to conclude the federal and state approval process in early 2018, and anticipates construction will begin by mid-April 2018.

Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (August 10, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Northern Pass hydroelectric transmission project (NPT), representing a significant step forward in the permitting process. The FEIS concluded that the proposed Northern Pass route is the “preferred alternative,” that the project provides substantial benefits, and will result in only minimal impacts. Required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the FEIS is a product of years of review of project environmental impacts by the DOE in cooperation with other federal agencies, and reflects input collected from thousands of comments submitted by key stakeholders and the public.

As stated in today’s DOE decision, “The proposed DOE action in the final EIS is to issue a Presidential permit to the Applicant, Northern Pass LLC, to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S./Canada border in northern New Hampshire (NH).” The FEIS also recognizes Northern Pass’ ability to help meet the region’s energy challenges. “In addition to diversifying the electricity supply, the utilization of low-carbon hydropower can help meet public policy goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

“We are extremely pleased that DOE has completed its FEIS and greatly appreciate the years of hard work by all of the experts involved in this thorough review of Northern Pass,” said Bill Quinlan, president of Eversource operations in New Hampshire. “As this clean energy project continues to advance through the final stages of the New Hampshire permitting process, we are encouraged to have reached this major federal permitting milestone. We are now another step closer to realizing the many benefits Northern Pass has to offer New Hampshire and the region.”

Highlights of the FEIS include:

New England will see a reduction of carbon emissions by 9 percent or 2.5 million metric tons

The “total average scenic impact” of Northern Pass is considered “low” to “very low”

Northern Pass will create 6,747 jobs in New Hampshire during construction, as well as 901 permanent jobs

During construction, Northern Pass will generate more than $734 million of additional economic output within New Hampshire

New Hampshire will see an increase of $37 million in annual statewide property tax collections once Northern Pass is built

There will be no “population-level effects to any protected species” due to Northern Pass

Noise levels associated with Northern Pass during operation will be well below EPA guidance levels

Northern Pass poses no health risks associated with EMFs

There are no authoritative studies that demonstrate impacts on tourism from transmission lines. Tourism is affected more by factors such as the national economy and the price of gasoline

Northern Pass is now awaiting the issuance of its federal permits, including DOE’s Presidential Permit, a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Forest Service, and the Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All major state and federal permits are expected in 2017, and all major contractor and equipment contracts are fully executed. Northern Pass will be substantially complete by the third quarter of 2020. Following testing, the line will be in service by the end of 2020.

“New Hampshire and the region are facing serious energy challenges, including having some of the highest electricity prices in the Continental United States,” said Quinlan. “Customers, businesses and elected officials have been calling for solutions, and the issuance of the FEIS positions NPT well to help address these critical challenges.”

Beyond its clean energy benefits and energy cost savings, Northern Pass will provide a number of benefits unique to New Hampshire, including millions annually in additional tax revenue to communities along the route; $7.5 million to the North Country Job Creation Fund to develop and retain jobs in the North Country; thousands of acres set aside for conservation, recreation and mixed-use; and the $200 million Forward NH Fund to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.

The Northern Pass transmission line begins at the Canadian border in Pittsburg, New Hampshire and extends 192 miles to Deerfield, New Hampshire where it connects to the New England grid. More than 80 percent of the line will be located along existing transmission corridors or buried along roadways to eliminate potential view impacts in the White Mountain National Forest area. Northern Pass will provide a robust, new interconnection path between the Québec and New England electric systems, and will be controlled by the regional system operator, ISO-New England.

The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceNH) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceNH).

Northern Pass has long been committed to hiring New Hampshire workers first for the construction of Northern Pass. Eversource, Northern Pass’ parent company, recently reaffirmed that commitment with a project labor agreement. Below is an announcement from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) about the agreement which covers both union workers and non-union workers and businesses.

The announcement is great news for New Hampshire’s electrical workers as Northern Pass now presents an opportunity for them to work on a project in their home state, closer to their family and friends.

Tiler Eaton of the IBEW said “Given the size of this project and the number of trained electrical workers needed, we anticipate this project will not only fully utilize all available New Hampshire members, but will also provide work for hundreds of our members from Massachusetts.”

Boston, MA –The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ (IBEW) Second District announced today that it, along with Eversource, Quanta Services, Inc., and ABB Inc., recently finalized a comprehensive Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the Northern Pass transmission project. The agreement ensures that a trained workforce will be used, including apprentice opportunities for the IBEW’s members and other construction trades, to build the 192-mile transmission line that will deliver clean energy to New England through an interconnection to the region’s electric grid in Deerfield, New Hampshire.

“This agreement confirms Northern Pass’ commitment to utilize a local labor force for its advanced, shovel-ready project,” said Mike Monahan, Vice President, IBEW Second District. “We are pleased to have a fully executed PLA in place that will provide substantial work opportunities—as early as the spring of 2018—for our members in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and other parts of New England.”

The agreement outlines the partners’ commitment to prioritize the hiring of New Hampshire and Massachusetts workers in meeting the staffing needs for the project. Eversource expects the project to create 2,600 jobs during peak construction, with hundreds of them being skilled electrical workers.

“With a plan to begin construction in 2018 and to place Northern Pass in service in 2020, it was imperative that we finalize this critical agreement with the IBEW, and our major contractors, Quanta Services, Inc. and ABB, Inc.,” said Bill Quinlan, President of Eversource NH Operations. “We appreciate the commitment of our partners to ensuring that local workers and businesses will have the opportunity to participate in this project that will deliver unparalleled benefits to New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New England.”

Parties to the PLA include:

IBEW Second District – covers all of New England

IBEW Local 104 – of Barrington, NH, serves the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont.

IBEW Local 490 – of Concord, NH

Quanta Services, Inc. – the largest transmission and distribution specialty contractor in North America, Quanta will serve as general contractor through its subsidiary, PAR Electrical Contractors, with an office in Bow, New Hampshire

ABB Inc. – The global leader in high voltage direct current (HVDC) technologies, ABB will install the underground transmission line cable and build the convertor station in Franklin, New Hampshire

“We are pleased to have a firm and fully executed agreement with Eversource to build the Northern Pass project and to be part of this PLA,“ said Duke Austin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanta Services. “This exclusive general services contract is unique to Northern Pass and Quanta. We have a long history of working with Eversource and the IBEW, and believe adding ABB, Inc. to this partnership creates an incredibly strong team capable of safely delivering the Northern Pass project, which is designed to provide clean energy benefits to the region.”

“We look forward to working with Quanta and our IBEW partners on this project,” said Tomas Leander, ABB senior vice president and general manager of HVDC in North America. “In addition to installing the underground transmission line, a major focus of our work will be constructing the Franklin converter terminal, which will require a variety of skilled trades. Having an executed PLA in place now, along with a firm and fully executed contract for equipment and installation, provides certainty, ensures opportunities for local workers, and allows us to hit the ground running when construction begins.”

In addition to outlining areas of union work, the Northern Pass PLA also defines the scope of work that will be open to non-union workers and businesses. These include construction of access roads, logging and clearing, trucking and other key construction-related activities.

IBEW 2nd District encompasses the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont and represents approximately 40,000 members throughout these New England states.

IBEW Local 104represents more than 1,000 outside electrical linemen, trained and skilled to install and repair high-voltage electrical systems from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and Rhode Island.

IBEW Local 490represents workers in the electrical construction, maintenance, and telecommunications industry in New Hampshire.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCorp) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceEnergy).

Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.

Quanta Services is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering infrastructure solutions for the electric power, oil and gas and communications industries. Quanta’s comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining energy and communications infrastructure. With operations throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia and select other international markets, Quanta has the manpower, resources and expertise to safely complete projects that are local, regional, national or international in scope. For more information, visit www.quantaservices.com.

ABB (NYSE: ABB) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees. (www.abb.com)

The following press release was issued by Eversource on July 27, 2017. For relevant materials, click here.

Proposals will offer substantial environmental and economic benefits to consumers in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New England

MANCHESTER, N.H. (July 27, 2017) – Eversource and Hydro-Québec (HQ) today submitted two comprehensive proposals in response to the Massachusetts Clean Energy solicitation. Both proposals would use the Northern Pass Transmission project (NPT) to deliver significant amounts of clean energy to the New England grid, interconnecting in New Hampshire. The solicitation is the result of a law passed last year by the Massachusetts Legislature to provide for new sources of clean energy for decades into the future. The two proposals are a 100 percent hydropower option and a hydropower and onshore wind combination option, and both highlight NPT’s advanced project development and Eversource’s extensive experience in building and operating the transmission grid in the region.

“Northern Pass is the most mature and comprehensive solution to meet the region’s clean energy goals and will help provide stability over the price and supply of the energy for years to come,” said Lee Olivier, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Eversource Energy. “As New England’s largest utility, we are uniquely positioned to deliver on that promise. We are excited to begin delivering the substantial benefits of this project to consumers throughout the region.”

The Northern Pass transmission line begins at the Canadian border in Pittsburg, New Hampshire and extends 192 miles to Deerfield, New Hampshire where it connects to the New England grid. More than 80 percent of the line will be located along existing transmission corridors or buried along roadways to eliminate potential view impacts in the White Mountain National Forest area. NPT will provide a robust, new interconnection path between the Québec and New England electric systems, and will be controlled by the regional system operator, ISO-NE.

Northern Pass will soon be a shovel-ready project with all major state and federal permits expected in 2017. Moreover, all major contractor and equipment contracts are fully executed to begin construction early in 2018. The majority of the project’s construction will take place in 2018 and 2019. A project labor agreement has been executed and is expected to generate thousands of jobs during peak construction for both Granite State and Bay State workers. Northern Pass will be substantially complete by the third quarter of 2020, and following testing, the line will be in service by the end of 2020 – prior to the critical 2020-2021 winter period.

Clean Energy Solutions

The 100 percent hydropower option included in the Northern Pass bid would deliver 1,090 megawatts of clean hydroelectric energy and the associated environmental attributes from HQ’s existing resources. A second option would combine predominantly firm hydropower from HQ with new wind generation located in Québec, provided by a partnership of wind developers, Gaz Métro and Boralex. The wind power will be backed by hydropower and includes Class I Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Both options guarantee a firm delivery of 1,090 megawatts of clean energy year round, including winter and summer days when demand for energy is greatest.

Achieving Environmental Benefits and Reducing Costs

Northern Pass will be capable of providing up to 9.4 terawatt hours of clean energy that the Massachusetts legislation requires on an annual basis while helping the Bay State attain the clean energy goals required by its Global Warming Solutions Act. The project will also reduce wholesale energy costs, diversify the region’s energy mix, and help fill the gap created by the retirement of older generating plants. Further, Northern Pass will help reduce reliance on natural gas-fired sources, particularly during the winter months when the gas pipeline system into New England is constrained.

Enabling Enhanced Economic and Community Betterment

In an effort to provide additional benefits, Northern Pass has finalized an agreement with leading Massachusetts low-income advocates, including Action for Boston Community Development, Action, Inc., and the National Consumer Law Center, that commits $10 million in funding to support low-income energy programs and services for Massachusetts low-income customers over 20 years.

As the host state for the Northern Pass project, New Hampshire will receive new property tax revenues and additional benefits to promote community betterment and economic development. The project enjoys strong support from many of New Hampshire’s business leaders, labor organizations and elected officials.

In summary, Northern Pass will help stabilize regional energy prices, provide a firm supply of clean energy, lower greenhouse gas emission, and provide hundreds of new jobs and additional economic benefits for Massachusetts residents. With approval of state and federal permits expected by the end of 2017, all major construction and supplier contracts fully executed, the Northern Pass proposal is the most advanced and comprehensive energy solution for Massachusetts.

Eversource (NYSE: ES) transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 3.6 million electric and natural gas customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Recognized as the top U.S. utility for its energy efficiency programs by the sustainability advocacy organization Ceres, Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and superior customerservice. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@EversourceCorp) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceEnergy).

The Northern Pass is a 192-mile electric transmission line project that will bring to New England 1,090 megawatts of clean hydropower. This reliable and affordable source of power will also bring a wide range of benefits to the region, including millions of dollars in energy cost savings and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. To learn more about Northern Pass, go to www.northernpass.us.